Electronic Foldable YikeBike: Cool or Not?

If bikes were as ubiquitous as cars, the ozone might not look like lace. In addition to being a great form of exercise, biking is also a great way to deal with heavily trafficked urban streets. In case you don't want to pedal, but still don't want to sit in traffic, there is the YikeBike. This mini two-wheeler is electric, so there is no need to pedal. It has been redesigned in other ways as well. The handlebars are next to the seat so you sit upright instead of hunched over to improve visibility. The speed is limited, so it can only go about 12 mph (20 km/hour), even downhill. Being fairly new, this bike costs around $5,500 — considerably more than a really nice road bike. Check out this video to see the YikeBike in action.

They could have made it look better than that. It looks funny but I do like that you can pack it up and take it with you.

5 years

The big problem with the Yike is that it is not so compatible with the laws of the state in which I live (all bicyclists MUST look up their state law as it varies from state to state and even from municipality to municipality.)
In my state, that vehicle would be classed as a motorcycle, not as a bicycle or moped because there is no way to operate the pedals with your feet. As such, it would be subject to a set of laws that would deem it illegal for road use (insufficient signals, etc.) and also illegal for sidewalk use. (For many of the same reasons that gasoline-powered scooters are illegal on the roads or sidewalks in my state.)
While a person might squeak by for quite some time on an illegal vehicle, eventually it catches up with you. And usually when you can least afford it (how'd you like to get stopped, ticketed, and told you have to go the rest of the way on foot or by bus when you're on your way to that very important job interview?)
For those in other states with different laws, the Yike might be just the thing, however. It is pretty cute and clever and I really like the way you can just tote it in with you wherever you go.

So much money for such a small thing? Lol. I'll stick to my regular bike that goes twice faster. And Anonymous, it's never too late to learn how to ride a bike. I haven't really cycled until I was 16 and I wonder how could I live for so long without it.

So much money for such a small thing? Lol. I'll stick to my regular bike that goes twice faster.
And Anonymous, it's never too late to learn how to ride a bike. I haven't really cycled until I was 16 and I wonder how could I live for so long without it.

5 years

It looks like fun, and a death trap all at once - I noticed that there were no scenes demonstrating how quickly this contraption stopped when a pedestrian (or car) suddenly appeared in the path of the very upright individual traveling forward. Even at a limited maximum speed, in a face-forward crash, the potential for serious injury is high.
The price, on the other hand, is simply insane. While I would not be tempted to buy a car with the same money as I do not drive - never have, never will - I would never spend that much on something that will not allow me to transport anything more than a backpack (which may well through off the CG of the vehicle to such an extant that braking might be even more deadly than before.
In the end, it is an interesting device, well suited for the Sunday cruise, but to make it a serious invention for the city commuter there must be the facility to carry groceries and other baggage, and it cannot cost half as much as a compact car.
Other than that, it looks great.

5 years

I'd like to learn to ride a regular bike. I'm 23 and I never really learned how...

That commercial is kind of hilarious. That thing is a seated segway! It seems pretty handy, but I can't believe it's selling for $5,500. You could buy a used car (that could go 6x the speed) for that price. Or you could buy a bicycle for much less and still go faster and get exercise!

5 years

I admit that I'd be a bit nervous to take this thing out on busy city streets, and putting in the effort of pedaling rather than just sitting there for the ride is obviously better for your overall health. Nonetheless, simply as a zippy little piece of technology, I can't help but want one!